CONVICTED (2024) | hoarder Mandy Swash, born 3 September 1970, of Rosedale Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 0UQ – kept animals in shocking squalor.
Two dead cats were discovered by RSPCA inspector Louise Showering during a visit to Mandy Swash’s previous home on Barmouth Way, Vauxhall, Liverpool, in September 2022. The charity had been called to investigate reports of dead animals and animals living in poor conditions. Showering put on a mask to go inside what was described as a “house of horrors” and said she “immediately” noticed a smell and flies everywhere.
Describing the conditions at the property, inspector Showering said in a witness statement: “Inside there were boxes and bags piled high making it difficult to see the floor. I had to stand on rubbish and cat litter in order to go up the stairs.
“The bathroom was in a filthy state with items covering the floor and inside the bath. The door of the back bedroom was off the hinges and resting against bags and the bed behind it.
“The window was partially obscured by piles of bags and there were many flies and fleas in the room. The landing was blocked by more items so I had to climb over these to reach the other two bedrooms.
“Inside the front larger bedroom, the bed was heavily soiled by faeces. I had to stand on rubbish just to get into the room. Inside the kitchen, I was again unable to see the floor due to the amount of rubbish.
“There was faeces and empty food packets, plastic and empty soiled bowls and litter trays. The kitchen itself was also filthy, with piles of faeces stacked up next to the sink and on the work surfaces.”
Sadly, in the living room and rear bedrooms, the RSPCA officer found the bodies of the two dead cats.
Ms Showering said: “In the lounge area, I saw a black bin bag over the top of one of the boxes. The letting agent informed me that he had spoken with Swash who told him that one of the dead cats was in a box in the lounge so I removed the box outside and found the body of a black domestic shorthaired cat inside.
“The cat appeared to have had a head injury and trauma to the eye area. In the rear bedroom, I saw a large number of fleas jumping on a blanket to the left of the door. I removed the blanket and discovered the body of a black domestic short-haired cat which appeared underweight and also had a flea infestation.”
It is believed the cat in the living room had suffered head injuries following a road traffic accident.
After the inspector left the home, more than 185 bites appeared over her body, which she said was the “worst case” of flea bites she had suffered in her 13 year career.
She said: “This was an incredibly sad case which resulted in the neglect and suffering of multiple cats.
“These cats were not provided with a suitable environment in which to live due to the heavily soiled litter trays, a heavy build up of cat faeces on work surfaces, floors, beds and soft furnishings and unsafe living conditions due to the hoarding of items such as plastic bags, and stacked items, causing potential trapping or injury hazards.
“There were no safe, comfortable, clean places in which the cats could rest. The environment was such that it would be more difficult to spot an injured cat easily. They were heavily infested with fleas and there was a build-up of faeces and detritus which would create a breeding ground for disease.”
Swash also had two female black and white cats who had been moved out of the property previously. The cats – Maud, two, and Mabel, seven – appeared in normal bodily condition and no further issues were raised.
Maud and Mabel have remained in Swash’s care and are well looked after, receiving regular vet checks and flea treatment.
Swash was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 4, 2024, where she was proven guilty in her absence.
In mitigation, the court heard how her personal circumstances are different now in terms of mental health and therefore no disqualification order was imposed.
Sentencing | 12 month community order with 20 days of rehab; eight-week curfew mental health treatment requirement; £1,250 in costs plus £114 victim surcharge. No ban.